Automaker Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat that can become damaged and prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying properly. The damaged wiring can also cause an unintended side curtain airbag deployment, as per documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall affects 80,255 vehicles from the model years 2023-2025, including Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid models. To address the issue, dealers will inspect, replace, and reroute the floor wiring assembly as needed, at no cost to owners. Additionally, wiring covers will be installed to prevent future damage. Owners will receive notification letters by mail in March.
This recall comes on the heels of a previous one in November, where Hyundai and Kia recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles to rectify a transistor issue in the charging control unit. The faulty transistor could lead to the 12-volt battery not charging, potentially resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.
